Air Station Astoria sends crew to help Portland-area search

A U.S. Coast Guard crew from Air Station Astoria helped in a Portland-area search after a car reportedly drove off a road and into the Columbia River late Monday.

Portland authorities were dispatched to Northeast Marine Drive at about 11:55 p.m. after a witness described a vehicle stopping briefly then plunging into the river. A search of the water uncovered the car but no passengers.

A Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Astoria surveyed the scene by air, but located no one, said Petty Officer Brian Fischer at USCG Group Astoria today.

Divers retrieved the license plate number and turned it over to Portland police. Authorities planned to remove the car from the river today.